LIVERPOOL stay top of the Premiership after a mounting a tremendous rearguard action in the Anfield trenches.

They lost Dietmar Hamann just before the break, sent off for a two-footed tackle, and from then on repelled everything Sunderland could throw at them.

The heroes were at the back in Sami Hyypia, Stephane Henchoz and Jamie Carragher but the real star was Emile Heskey, who scored his first goal for the club since August.

But more than that, Heskey was a towering presence throughout. He dominated Sunderland's defence, worked himself into the ground helping his defence, and deserved to walk off hearing the Kop chanting his name.

Heskey had gone 20 matches for club and country without a goal before heading home after 20 minutes.

But the cloud was lifted with that goal and he went on to lead Liverpool by example and sheer graft.

Sunderland just could not break down Liverpool. They were confronted by a bank of determination in front of them, and the Anfield club stretched their unbeaten home league record to nine and went a long way to wiping away the memory of that midweek Champions League mauling from Barcelona.

Sunderland, who had drawn their last three visits to Anfield, were no doubt relieved to find that Michael Owen was not in the Liverpool line-up.

The 21-year-old, three short of his century of goals for the club, was not risked after suffering a slight recurrence of an injury that was initially labelled "cramp" by assistant boss Phil Thompson but was clearly a little more than that.

Hamann, so clearly missed in the 3-1 defeat by Barcelona, also returned after suspension but was soon to find himself red-carded and facing another ban, this time for three matches.

Sunderland made former Liverpool defender Jason McAteer captain, manager Peter Reid fielding the same side which ended Leeds' unbeaten league record last weekend.

Hamann's dismissal was to change the game, clearly, but beforehand Liverpool had caused all sorts of problems through Heskey's height and movement and should have been further ahead before the red card.

Heskey's flick carved out one opening for Robbie Fowler that was lashed into the side netting, and then Danny Murphy created another chance for Fowler, this time the striker sending a low header straight at an exposed Thomas Sorensen.

Steven Gerrard was booked on 17 minutes for a foul on Julio Arca, and two minutes later Bernt Haas was also caution for cutting down Vladimir Smicer.

And from Murphy's free-kick, Heskey powered in to head home - to end a barren run for the England striker that stretches right back to his goal for his country in the 5-1 win over Germany on September 1.

Gerrard should have scored when sent clear but Sunderland had chances themselves. Three times the industrious Kevin Phillips found space for long range efforts, two saved by Jerzy Dudek and the third inches wide.

But the tone of the game changed a minute before the break Liverpool were reduced to 10 men when Hamann was sent off for a two-footed tackle - with both feet off the ground - that sent Haas spinning.

Referee Steve Bennett brushed aside claims that the German had touched the ball but Hamann was applauded off and Bennett roundly abused by the Kop, but the directives are very clear on this sort of tackle - two-footed and you are off.

Liverpool predictably took off Fowler at the break, opting to play with just Heskey up front and reinforcing their midfield with Gary McAllister.

But Liverpool were going to be a danger on the break, and two minutes into the half Gerrard got away and was baulked by Thome on the edge of the box, the Brazilian finding himself booked.

Liverpool, so often accused of playing deep and hitting on the break, were now in their element using that system with Gerrard, Murphy and Heskey a constant danger.

McAteer - who had managed to get himself involved in a running feud with Riise - was finally booked for a foul on Murphy, as the tension mounted.

Liverpool should have scored again when Gerrard's long ball wide from defence put Smicer away, and when the Czech laid the ball back for the unmarked McAllister, the Scot somehow managed to fire high over the crossbar from just 12 yards.

Patrik Berger came on for Murphy a minute later and then Stephen Wright was introduced into defence at Smicer's expense.

Sunderland put on Lillian Laslandes and George McCarthy but the openings just would not come against a Liverpool side who tackled for the lives and never panicked under the barrage.